Christmas 1930s style

Christmas in the 1930s was tough as the Depression set in but the goodwill shown by those more fortunate helped make the day a little happier for those who had nothing.

Fewer advertisements for Christmas gifts was obvious but by the middle of the decade there was something new to advertise, electrical products. By the end of the decade, Australians realised that the war to end all wars, the Great War, was not the end. The big message to shoppers throughout the 1930s, a follow on from the 1920s, was to “Buy Australian”. At least they still had the choice then.

The Victorian Dried Fruits Board came up with this recipe and more were in their free cook book.

Mrs. S. Roy Champness generously provided a three-course meal for the unemployed men finding themselves in Kaniva on Christmas Day 1930. Seven “tramps” had a better Christmas day thanks to Mrs Champness, while in Portland 26 unemployed men ate dinner in the rather unsettling surrounds of the old goal buildings, with the overseer of proceedings, the senior constable of police. Any wonder he reported the men were “decent and well-behaved”

The State Relief Committee were calling on all housewives of Victorian to contribute to the making of 10,000 Christmas puddings for Christmas 1931. Others providing aid to feed the unemployed and their dependents were merchants, farmers and manufacturers.

A “Mother Hubbard Cupboard” was placed in Horsham’s Firebrace Street in the week leading up to Christmas Day 1931. Non-perishable goods could be put on the shelves, but on December 24, poultry and other perishables could be added.

Guesstimates in 1932 put the annual Christmas shop at over £1,000,000. The Portland Guardian considered the effect this would have on Australia’s prospects if all that money was spent on Australian made goods. Another guesstimate suggested this would generate £250,000 of wages and thus stimulate the economy.

Hopes were up for some old-time Christmas spirit for 1933. Money was beginning to circulate more than it had in the two years before. The banks received £30,000 of coins from the Treasury for Christmas 1933, for the purpose of change, while in 1932, the amount required was only £10,000.

Buying for the man of the house is not an easy task any Christmas. In 1933, wives were advised to “Please Him, Not Only Yourself”. Obviously written by a male and one with considerable tastes too. It was suggested that a subscription to a magazine such as “National Geographic” would be appealing to a husband, but stay away from the “Vogue” and “Harper’s Bazaar“.

Camperdown’s famous clock tower was lit up for Christmas 1935. Christmas Eve plans in the town included the arrival of Santa at 7pm and amplified music broadcast from the Amalgamated Wireless Australia Ltd. At 10pm, dance music would be played in Manifold Street.

The well known Hedditch family of Bridgewater ate Christmas dinner at the same table the family had celebrated around for the previous 90 years. Those at the table in 1935 included the fifth generation of Hedditchs to do so.

Electrical appliances boosted advertising during Christmas 1936. This article comes from a double page feature in the Argus of December 4, promoting various brands of electrical products including Hecla kettles. There was also a message from the State Electrical Commission, remember them, recommending electrical products as a Christmas gift.

Prosperity was beginning to return to Australia and 1937 was one of the best seen for many years. There had been a recent decline in wool and wheat prices but things were still looking promising. As Australian manufacturing grew, more Australian goods were being consumed than ever before. Apparently in the past Australians were ashamed to give an Australian made Christmas gifts, but with a growing pride in the quality of product being produced, that was changing.

Christmas 1939 arrived and so had WW2. It was the first of six Christmases Australians would celebrate while troops were fighting.

An interesting scheme in Victoria was given the go ahead to continue despite the war. Gifts of Victorian produce could be bought from the Department of Agriculture which would then be sent overseas to British recipients. Produce included tinned fruit and sultanas.